Since 2014, CRS/Burkina Faso, in-line with the Government of Burkina Faso's commitment to support basic education for all, has been implementing the second phase of the USDA McGovern-Dole (MGD) program -- 'Beoog Biiga.' Funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 'Beoog Biiga' is an integrated education program - with school feeding as a major component- designed to: improve the quality and relevance of education, encourage complete cycle of primary education for vulnerable and marginalized children, especially girls; and to improve nutrition and increase community involvement and government investment in education for long-term sustainability.

The four-year program, to be implemented in three of the provinces most vulnerable to food insecurity, Bam, Sanmatenga and Namentenga, are in the Center-North region. The program will integrate a new component focusing on maternal and child nutrition. The program is implemented in partnership with the Ministries of Education and Health, together with local and international partners.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Education Program Manager will oversee activities falling under both Strategic Objectives of the project, with a specific focus on the education-related objective, as follows:

Collaborate closely with the Early Childhood and Literacy Project Manager and the Ministry of National Education (MENA) to lead the development and piloting of the Assessment for Learning approach in the selected schools of the intervention area, and oversee training of teachers/school administrators/preschool caregivers on various topics

Collaborate closely with the Capacity Building Project Manager to expand girls' mentoring activities

Work with the Reading Initiatives Project Manager to oversee the supervision of 20 existing community libraries, contribute to promoting sustainability with municipalities and organizing annual reading camps

Collaborate with the School Infrastructures Project Manager around the construction of community preschool centers

Collaborate with MENA and develop an effective communication strategy around Teachers Awards, develop robust criteria for teacher selection and conduct the annual activity

Coordinate with the Social and Behavior Change Communication Project Manager and develop captivating awareness raising techniques/activities on the importance of education (using multi-media messages, mobile theatres, film screenings, etc. as appropriate)

Collaborate closely with the Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) Project Manager to oversee the expansion of SILC groups and activities, in coordination with partner OCADES Kaya

Work closely with the Beoog Biiga Chief of Party to develop advocacy materials and lobby for improved education related policies in Burkina Faso, as well as communication materials for the donor

Collaborate with Chief of Party and MEAL project manager to ensure high-quality program activities, document innovations, ensure timely and accurate reporting and all program indicators

Specific Responsibilities:

Oversee Education Technical Activities

Lead planning, implementation, and reporting for education technical activities as described above, with special attention to gender implications

Work with partners to develop annual implementation plans, track progress, and monitor quality

Establish team priorities and meet deadlines

Participate in key decision making on program strategy

Encourage innovation/creativity and lead implementation of pilot activities

Ensure visibility around education activities by leading field visits of partners, donors, press outlets to field sites and overseeing development of one-pagers, brochures, short videos, etc.

Reporting, Budgeting and Compliance

Coordinate donor semi-annual reports on program activities and coordinate closely with MEAL Manager to monitor, analyze trends, and report on project indicators

Strong crosscultural skills and demonstrated capacity to establish and maintain working and representational relationships with partners, donors, government officials, international NGOs, local organizations, communities and other stakeholders

Personal Skills

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions

Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.

Good presentation and facilitation skills

Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented

Strong writing and editing skills

Ability to communicate with a variety of stakeholders

Strong organizational skills

Experience working in a team

Required/Desired Foreign Language

Fluency in English and French

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.